Wilkes Climate Launch Prize 2025

Grant Overview

$250,000 Award for Global Climate Innovation Solutions

Donor: The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy, University of Utah

About: The Wilkes Climate Launch Prize represents a significant opportunity for organizations worldwide committed to developing innovative solutions to combat climate change. This prestigious $250,000 award is designed to accelerate transformative ideas that can make a substantial impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing carbon from the atmosphere. The prize aims to identify and support scalable, feasible climate solutions with potential for global implementation.

The prize is open to organizations at all development stages – from seed and pre-seed startups to established venture-funded companies and publicly traded corporations. Nonprofit organizations are equally eligible to apply, making this a truly inclusive opportunity for innovators across all sectors. What sets this grant apart is its global reach and absence of restrictions based on organizational affiliation or location.

Applications undergo a rigorous two-phase evaluation process. The first phase requires submissions by February 28, 2025 (midnight MST), followed by a second phase where finalists will present their pitches in-person at the Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah on May 15, 2025. The winner will be announced during an award ceremony in September 2025.

The evaluation criteria focus on three key areas: scalable impact, feasibility, and co-benefits. Projects are assessed based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both immediate (2025-2027) and near-term (around 2030) futures, with consideration for scaling opportunities through 2030-2050. The judges evaluate demonstrated feasibility, current and projected costs per MT CO2-equivalent, team expertise, and strategies for overcoming implementation barriers. Additionally, proposals that offer co-benefits to communities, economies, or ecosystems receive favorable consideration.

One noteworthy aspect of this prize is the minimal restrictions on fund usage. Apart from a 15% cap on overhead costs (including indirect or F&A costs), organizations have flexibility in how they allocate the award money to advance their climate solutions.

If you’re interested in applying for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize but need assistance with your application, Grantaura can help. Our team of grant experts can support you throughout the process – from researching eligibility requirements to crafting a compelling business plan, developing a strong project proposal, preparing financial projections, and submitting a polished final application. With over 300 successful grant projects completed, Grantaura’s specialists can significantly increase your chances of securing this transformative funding opportunity.

Focus: Climate change solutions, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon removal, climate innovation, environmental sustainability, clean technology

Region: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Eligibility:
-Open to organizations at all stages (seed, pre-seed, venture-funded, publicly traded)
-Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible
-Organizations from any country worldwide can apply
-No affiliation with the University of Utah or the State of Utah required
-Multiple project submissions from the same organization are allowed

Benefits:
-$250,000 award to the winning organization
-Opportunity to present at the prestigious Wilkes Climate Summit
-Global recognition for innovative climate solutions
-Networking with climate science and policy leaders
-Minimal restrictions on fund usage (only 15% cap on overhead costs)

Deadline: May 13, 2025

Terms:
-MT CO2-equivalent: Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent – a standard unit for measuring carbon footprints, expressing the impact of each greenhouse gas in terms of the amount of CO2 that would create the same amount of warming
-Scalable impact: The potential for a solution to be implemented on a large scale, potentially worldwide, with corresponding increases in positive effects
-Permanence: The duration for which carbon remains sequestered or emissions remain reduced without reversal
-F&A costs: Facilities and Administrative costs, also known as indirect costs or overhead costs, which are expenses not directly attributable to a specific project
-MST: Mountain Standard Time, the time zone observed in the Mountain states of the United States